Hi all,

I really really want to get a puppy, I'm trying to be sensible and listing all the reasons why I shouldn't get one i.e.

- I'm here on a whp (pr applied for but no guarantees of course)
- I work so it'll be at home on it's own during the day
- expense
- toilet training!
- training in general!

Yet I still really really want one.

All I keep thinking is that if I get kicked out in October I'm going to pitch up in London homeless, jobless and with a Canadian puppy! And finding landlords in London who don't mind pets is a nightmare.

Any advice??

Practically speaking it doesnt sound like a good idea or particularly fair on the dog, but how should we know whats right for you....

Don't get one. Would you leave a baby/small child on its own all day?

Egads, no... don't do it!

Find a neighbour's dog to walk, offer to dog-sit for others, foster a dog, get a stuffed toy and use your imagination, volunteer at rescue shelter...

IMO, there are so many options to satisfy 'wants' in life that might make better sense to a person's lifestyle. Like being an aunt... enjoying many of the perks of hanging out with kids with none of the drudgery or burden.

Or get a cat; they are waaay cooler anyways.

Funnily enough I tried volunteering at the local shelter and they told me they don't actually need any help.

My roommate is allergic to cats...but not to dogs.

I know I know, keep the downsides coming, I'm actually quite a practical person and would never buy a puppy on a whim. It's just I've always wanted a dog and it feels like everyone in the city has one so why couldn't I.

Wait till you at least know you are staying for a while, then reconsider. Otherwise, not only will you have yourself to sort out, but the expense of getting a pooch across the ocean too - not a cheap past-time.

I'm training one at the mo - and if I wasn't around as much during the day, heaven knows what mess and muddles she'd get into. Personally, I'd take about 3 weeks off work if I was bringing a new pooch home (if I worked full-time, that is).

Hold out a bit longer (and enjoy your freedom! )

If you're willing and able to put up with the costs, the hassles, etc and you think that the good will outweigh the bad, then do it.

Having a dog is HUGE!

You can't leave them for too long ....they're expensive (decent food, vets fees, training classes, doggy daycare, chew toys at $20 each , etc, etc) ...so much time is needed for training and walking. Seriously not something to do without a lot of consideration. We volunteer doing doggy walking at our local SPCA and so many dogs are seized/dropped off/returned because people don't realise what a responsibility it actually is until it's too late.

Ours is a lot of fun and I love HIM but I said to my other half the other day that I don't actually love HAVING a dog. It's so tying. He's pretty smart and if you don't keep him entertained he looks so pathetic, sad and bored. It would be cruel to leave him at home alone all day.

If the local shelter doesn't need you what about someone in your neighbourhood who could do with a help with theirs? Eg a senior who has a dog but who can't take it for big hikes at the weekend any more? Maybe you could put up some ads locally offering to help out for free ....great karma all round and you get to spend some time with a furry friend?

I'm with the 'don't do it' brigade. It would not be fair on the puppy to be left all day (or to be dragged back to the UK should the worse happen). I agree with HWP - get a cat - they are much more suited to being left all day.

The Mrs and I were always 'dog people' having grown up with dogs and had one here when we first moved back. However for similar reasons (both working during the day) we opted for cats and have these two:



They have bags of personality and we've become cat people as well as dog people. Currently I'm having to persaude the Mrs that, with a baby due in a month or so, now is not the time to be getting a puppy!

Us girls aren't rational at the best of times...when pregnant we are even worse....I would just nod in agreement and pray she doesn't get round to getting one before the baby turns up!

All good reasons not to, at home I wouldn't even have entertained the idea but I don't know it seems in Toronto EVERYONE has a dog and they're people who work and have lives and all the rest of it.

I'm not really a cat person, there is a breeder of siamese kittens that I know...and there cats are beautiful and have great personalities but like I said before my flatmate is allergic to cats so it's not going to happen.

I guess I'll just re-assess where I am at the end of this year.

Thanks for all the negatives This is something I've been mulling over for awhile and although I've been leaning towards the 'Don't do it!' it's good to be able to just put the idea firmly aside at least for now. I'm not sure it's going away for good though...I just wish there weren't so many dogs in my building! Everyone makes it look so easy.

wow cats, new baby and a new puppy? It makes me tired thinking about it

Maybe you could ask the dogs in your apartment building what they think about the arrangement?

I'm not dissing you but I think many Canadians have a lousy attitude towards pets and treat them as disposables. I very much dislike what appears to be the common practice of not letting cats outside. Ever.

Awww... make friends, make friends! All of the perks, none of the work!

Is it just me or is the one at the front Great Dane size!